Sacked FBI boss ‘has notes’ on Trump

THE ousted deputy director of the FBI reportedly kept personal memos on his interactions with US President Donald Trump that may come to light as the US president accused him of "lies and leaks".

Mr Trump said "the Fake News is beside themselves that McCabe was caught, called out and fired."

Mr Trump is referring to Andrew McCabe, the FBI deputy director fired by Attorney-General Jeff Sessions late on Friday.

US President Donald Trump speaks out against former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe. Picture: AFP

"How many hundreds of thousands of dollars was given to wife's campaign by Crooked H friend, Terry M, who was also under investigation? How many lies? How many leaks? Comey knew it all, and much more!"

As a candidate for state office, Mr McCabe's wife accepted a campaign contribution from the political action committee of then-Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat.

Gov. McAuliffe is a longtime friend of Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Trump fired James Comey as FBI director last May, citing the Russia investigation.

Mr McCabe said Mr Sessions fired him as part of the Trump administration's "war on the FBI."

Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Picture: AFP

ON THE RECORD

It comes as AP learned that Mr McCabe kept personal memos regarding Mr Trump that are similar to the notes compiled by Mr Comey detailing interactions with him.

It was not immediately clear whether any of Mr McCabe's memos have been turned over to special counsel Robert Mueller, whose criminal investigation is examining Trump campaign ties to Russia and possible obstruction of justice, or been requested by Mueller.

Mr McCabe's memos include details of interactions with the president, among other topics, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation who wasn't authorised to discuss the memos publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The disclosure came hours after Mr Trump called Mr McCabe's firing by Mr Sessions as a "a great day for Democracy.

Donald Trump called Mr McCabe’s firing a “great day for democracy” Picture: AFP

'VENALITY, MORAL TURPITUDE'

Former CIA Director John Brennan is accusing President Donald Trump of "venality, moral turpitude and political corruption" for rejoicing over the firing of the FBI's deputy director.

Brennan responded Saturday to a tweet Trump sent hours after Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that he had fired Andrew McCabe. Trump has repeatedly accused McCabe of dishonesty.

Brennan tweeted to Trump: "When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history. You may scapegoat Andy McCabe, but you will not destroy America...America will triumph over you." Brennan was CIA director during President Barack Obama's second term.

Former Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John Brennan. Picture: AFP

'GREAT DAY'

Mr Sessions, acting on the recommendation of FBI disciplinary officials, acted two days before Mr McCabe's scheduled retirement date.

Mr Trump tweeted in praise of Mr Sessions' announcement, asserting without elaboration that Mr McCabe "knew all about the lies and corruption going on at the highest levels off the FBI!"

Later, Trump claimed there was "tremendous leaking, lying and corruption" atop the FBI, and departments of State of Justice, but offered no evidence.

An upcoming inspector general's report is expected to conclude that Mr McCabe, a Comey confidant, authorised the release of information to the media and was not forthcoming with the watchdog office as it examined the bureau's handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation.

"The FBI expects every employee to adhere to the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and accountability," Mr Sessions said in a statement.

Former FBI Director James Comey during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing. Picture: AP

'ATACK ON LAW ENFORCEMENT'

Mr McCabe said his credibility had been attacked as "part of a larger effort not just to slander me personally" but also the FBI and law enforcement. "It is part of this administration's ongoing war on the FBI and the efforts of the special counsel investigation, which continue to this day," he added, referring to Robert Mueller's probe into potential co-ordination between Russia and the Trump campaign. "Their persistence in this campaign only highlights the importance of the special counsel's work."

Mr McCabe said his credibility had been attacked. Picture: AFP

Mr Trump's personal lawyer, John Dowd, cited the "brilliant and courageous example" by Sessions and the FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility and said in a statement that the No. 2 Justice Department official, Rod Rosenstein, should "bring an end" to the Russia investigation "manufactured" by Mr Comey.

Mr Dowd told The Associated Press that he neither was calling on Mr Rosenstein, the deputy lawyer government overseeing Mr Mueller's inquiry, to fire the special counsel immediately nor had discussed with Mr Rosenstein the idea of dismissing Mr Mueller or ending the probe.